scholarly journals Urban hydrology in mountainous middle eastern cities

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 953-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Grodek ◽  
J. Lange ◽  
J. Lekach ◽  
S. Husary
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Urban Groundwater ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Close Analysis ◽  
Natural Terrain ◽  
Peak Runoff

Abstract. The Mediterranean climate together with the type of urban setting found in mountainous Middle Eastern cities generate much lower runoff yields than previously reported and than usually estimated for urban design. In fact, a close analysis shows that most of the rainwater remains within the cities as a possible source for urban groundwater recharge. The present study examined two locales – Ramallah, an old traditional Palestinian Arab town, and Modiin, a new township in Israel – both situated on the karstic Yarkon Taninim aquifer. This aquifer supplies the only high-quality drinking water in the region (one quarter of the Israeli-Palestinian water demand), which is characterized by dense populations and limited water resources. This paper provides the first measured information on the hydrological effects of urbanization in the area. It was found that the shift of the mountainous natural steep slopes into a series of closed-terraces with homes and gardens create areas that are disconnected from the urban runoff response. Roofs drained into the attached gardens create favorable recharge units. Mainly low-gradient roads became the principal source for urban runoff already following 1–4 mm of rainfall. Parallel roads converted single peak hydrographs towards multi-peak runoff responses, increasing flow duration and reducing peak discharges. The remaining urban area (public parks, natural areas, etc.) generated runoff only as a result of high-magnitude rainstorms. All of the above conditions limited urban runoff coefficients to an upper boundary of only 35% and 30% (Ramallah and Modiin, respectively). During extreme rainstorms (above 100 mm) similar runoff coefficients were measured in urban and natural catchments as a result of the limited areas contributing to runoff in the urban areas, while natural terrain does not have these artificial limits. Hence, the effects of urbanization decrease with event magnitude and there is significant potential for urban groundwater recharge. However, frequent low-magnitude rainstorms often generate highly polluted stormwater in urban sewer systems and this water should only be used with great caution.

scholarly journals Urban hydrology in mountainous middle eastern cities

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 7305-7339
Author(s):  
T. Grodek ◽  
J. Lange ◽  
J. Lekach ◽  
S. Husary
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Urban Groundwater ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Close Analysis ◽  
Natural Terrain ◽  
Peak Runoff

Abstract. The Mediterranean climate together with the type of urban setting found in mountainous Middle Eastern cities generate much lower runoff yields than previously reported and than usually estimated for urban design. In fact, a close analysis shows that most of the rainwater remains within the cities as a possible source for urban groundwater recharge. The present study examined two locales – Ramallah, an old traditional Palestinian Arab town, and Modiin, a new township in Israel – both situated on the karstic Yarkon Taninim aquifer. This aquifer supplies the only high-quality drinking water in the region (one quarter of the Israeli-Palestinian water demand), which is characterized by dense populations and limited water resources. This paper provides the first measured information on the hydrological effects of urbanization in the area. It was found that the shift of the mountainous natural steep slopes into a series of closed-terraced homes and gardens created areas that are disconnected from the urban runoff response. Roofs drained into the attached gardens and created favorable recharge units. Mainly low-gradient roads became the principal source for urban runoff already following 1–4 mm of rainfall. Parallel roads converted single peak hydrographs towards multi-peak runoff responses, increasing flow duration and reducing peak discharges. The remaining urban area (public parks, natural areas, etc.) generated runoff only as a result of high-magnitude rainstorms. All of the above conditions limited urban runoff coefficients to an upper boundary of only 22% and 30% (Ramallah and Modiin, respectively). During extreme rainstorms (above 100 mm) similar runoff coefficients were measured in urban and natural catchments as a result of the limited areas contributing to runoff in the urban areas, while natural terrain does not have these artificial limits. Hence, it was found, the effects of urbanization decrease with event magnitude and there is significant potential for urban groundwater recharge. However, frequent low-magnitude rainstorms often generate highly polluted stormwater in urban sewer systems and this water should only be used with great caution.

Urban Greening and Human-Wildlife Relations in Philadelphia: From Animal Control to Multispecies Coexistence?

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Hunold
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
Urban Wildlife ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Urban Greening ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Animal Control

City-scale urban greening is expanding wildlife habitat in previously less hospitable urban areas. Does this transformation also prompt a reckoning with the longstanding idea that cities are places intended to satisfy primarily human needs? I pose this question in the context of one of North America's most ambitious green infrastructure programmes to manage urban runoff: Philadelphia's Green City, Clean Waters. Given that the city's green infrastructure plans have little to say about wildlife, I investigate how wild animals fit into urban greening professionals' conceptions of the urban. I argue that practitioners relate to urban wildlife via three distinctive frames: 1) animal control, 2) public health and 3) biodiversity, and explore the implications of each for peaceful human-wildlife coexistence in 'greened' cities.

High Parasitic Contamination of Soil Samples in the North of Iran: a Potential Risk of Parasitic Infection for Tourists

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beheshteh Haghparast-kenari ◽  
Tooran Nayeri ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Rahimi ◽  
Ehsan Ahmadpour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
The North ◽  
North Of Iran

Background: Soil-transmitted parasites (STPs) are significant intestinal parasites that infect humans and animals and impose considerable burdens on human society and animal husbandry industries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic elements of soil samples collected from the north of Iran. Methods: A total of 256 soil samples were collected from public parks, public places, vegetable gardens, sand heaps, and shadow areas near houses in the north of Iran and examined using the sucrose flotation method. Results: Out of 256 examined samples, 131 (51.2%) ones showed parasitic contamination including larvae (43%), oocysts (14.1%), and different eggs (6.6%). According to the results, the most and least common parasites observed in the samples were larvae (43%), as well as Toxascaris leonina, and Trichuris trichiura (0.4%), respectively. Moreover, the most and least contaminated locations were sand heaps (62.5%) and shadow areas near houses (45.6%), respectively. Regarding cities, Behshahr (68.3%) and Sari (67.5%) had the highest contaminated soil samples, whereas Chalus (37.5%) showed the lowest contamination. On the other hand, rural samples showed more contamination, compared to urban areas (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that the overall prevalence of STPs in examined areas and highly contaminated soil samples can be considered as a potential source of human contamination particularly tourists with STPs.

scholarly journals Prevalence, pattern and determinants of chronic disease multimorbidity in Nepal: secondary analysis of a national survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e047665
Author(s):  
Raja Ram Dhungana ◽  
Khem Bahadur Karki ◽  
Bihungum Bista ◽  
Achyut Raj Pandey ◽  
Meghnath Dhimal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Nationally Representative

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence, pattern and determinants of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) multimorbidity in Nepal.DesignSecondary analysis of the data from the NCD survey 2018, which was conducted between 2016 and 2018.SettingThe data belong to the nationally representative survey, that selected the study samples from throughout Nepal using multistage cluster sampling.Participants8931 participants aged 20 years and older were included in the study.Primary outcomesNCD multimorbidity (occurrence of two or more chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease and cancer). Descriptive statistics, prevalence ratio and odds ratio were computed to assess pattern and determinants of multimorbidity.ResultsMean (SD) age was 46.7 years (14.9 years). The majority of the participants were women (57.8%), without formal education (53.4%) and from urban areas (51.5%). Multimorbidity was present in 13.96% (95% CI: 12.9% to 15.1%). Hypertension and diabetes coexisted in 5.7%. Age, alcohol consumption, body mass index, non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) level and rural–urban setting were significantly associated with multimorbidity.ConclusionMultimorbidity was prevalent in particular groups or geographical areas in Nepal suggesting a need for coordinated and integrated NCD care approach for the management of multiplicative co-comorbid conditions.

scholarly journals Community Perceptions and Knowledge of Modern Stormwater Treatment Assets

Urban Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Hadi Zamanifard ◽  
Edward A. Morgan ◽  
Wade L. Hadwen
Keyword(s):  
Urban Design ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Community Acceptance ◽  
Water Sensitive Urban Design

Modern stormwater treatment assets are a form of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) features that aim to reduce the volumes of sediment, nutrients and gross pollutants discharged into receiving waterways. Local governments and developers in urban areas are installing and maintaining a large number of stormwater treatment assets, with the aim of improving urban runoff water quality. Many of these assets take up significant urban space and are highly visible and as a result, community acceptance is essential for effective WSUD design and implementation. However, community perceptions and knowledge about these assets have not been widely studied. This study used a survey to investigate community perceptions and knowledge about stormwater treatment assets in Brisbane, Australia. The results suggest that there is limited community knowledge of these assets, but that communities notice them and value their natural features when well-maintained. This study suggests that local governments may be able to better inform residents about the importance of these assets, and that designing for multiple purposes may improve community acceptance and support for the use of Council funds to maintain them.

scholarly journals Estimating surface runoff and groundwater recharge in an urban catchment using a water balance approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 2411-2428
Author(s):  
Robin K. Weatherl ◽  
Maria J. Henao Salgado ◽  
Maximilian Ramgraber ◽  
Christian Moeck ◽  
Mario Schirmer
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Hydrograph Separation ◽  
Balance Approach

AbstractLand-use changes often have significant impact on the water cycle, including changing groundwater/surface-water interactions, modifying groundwater recharge zones, and increasing risk of contamination. Surface runoff in particular is significantly impacted by land cover. As surface runoff can act as a carrier for contaminants found at the surface, it is important to characterize runoff dynamics in anthropogenic environments. In this study, the relationship between surface runoff and groundwater recharge in urban areas is explored using a top-down water balance approach. Two empirical models were used to estimate runoff: (1) an updated, advanced method based on curve number, followed by (2) bivariate hydrograph separation. Modifications were added to each method in an attempt to better capture continuous soil-moisture processes and explicitly account for runoff from impervious surfaces. Differences between the resulting runoff estimates shed light on the complexity of the rainfall–runoff relationship, and highlight the importance of understanding soil-moisture dynamics and their control on hydro(geo)logical responses. These results were then used as input in a water balance to calculate groundwater recharge. Two approaches were used to assess the accuracy of these groundwater balance estimates: (1) comparison to calculations of groundwater recharge using the calibrated conceptual HBV Light model, and (2) comparison to groundwater recharge estimates from physically similar catchments in Switzerland that are found in the literature. In all cases, recharge is estimated at approximately 40–45% of annual precipitation. These conditions were found to closely echo those results from Swiss catchments of similar characteristics.

scholarly journals The Awareness of and Input into Cultural Heritage Preservation by Urban Planners and Other Municipal Actors in Light of Climate Change

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
Paul Carroll ◽  
Eeva Aarrevaara
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Heritage Preservation ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
The Future ◽  
Cultural Heritage Preservation

Future climate conditions need to be considered in planning for urban areas. As well as considering how new structures would best endure in the future, it is important to take into account factors that contribute to the degradation of cultural heritage buildings in the urban setting. Climate change can cause an increase in structural degradation. In this paper, a review of both what these factors are and how they are addressed by urban planners is presented. A series of inquiries into the topic was carried out on town planning personnel and those involved in cultural heritage preservation in several towns and cities in Finland and in a small number of other European countries. The target group members were asked about observed climate change impacts on cultural heritage, about present steps being taken to protect urban cultural heritage, and also their views were obtained on how climate change impacts will be emphasised in the future in this regard. The results of the inquiry demonstrate that climate change is still considered only in a limited way in urban planning, and more interaction between different bodies, both planning and heritage authorities, as well as current research on climate change impacts, is needed in the field.

scholarly journals Administrative incidence of psychosis assessed in an early intervention service in England: first epidemiological evidence from a diverse, rural and urban setting

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 949-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Cheng ◽  
J. B. Kirkbride ◽  
B. R. Lennox ◽  
J. Perez ◽  
K. Masson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Clinical Epidemiology ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Early Intervention In Psychosis

BackgroundEarly Intervention in Psychosis Services (EIS) for young people in England experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) were commissioned in 2002, based on an expected incidence of 15 cases per 100 000 person-years, as reported by schizophrenia epidemiology in highly urban settings. Unconfirmed reports from EIS thereafter have suggested higher than anticipated rates. The aim of this study was to compare the observed with the expected incidence and delineate the clinical epidemiology of FEP using epidemiologically complete data from the CAMEO EIS, over a 6-year period in Cambridgeshire, for a mixed rural–urban population.MethodA population-based study of FEP (ICD-10, F10–39) in people aged 17–35 years referred between 2002 and 2007; the denominator was estimated from mid-year census statistics. Sociodemographic variation was explored by Poisson regression. Crude and directly standardized rates (for age, sex and ethnicity) were compared with pre-EIS rates from two major epidemiological FEP studies conducted in urban English settings.ResultsA total of 285 cases met FEP diagnoses in CAMEO, yielding a crude incidence of 50 per 100 000 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 44.5–56.2]. Age- and sex-adjusted rates were raised for people from black ethnic groups compared with the white British [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.8]. Rates in our EIS were comparable with pre-EIS rates observed in more urban areas after age, sex and ethnicity standardization.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the incidence observed in EIS is far higher than originally anticipated and is comparable to rates observed in more urban settings prior to the advent of EIS. Sociodemographic variation due to ethnicity and other factors extend beyond urban populations. Our results have implications for psychosis aetiology and service planning.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Infiltration Rainwater Drainage (IRD) System with Fully 3-D Numerical Simulation Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 9144
Author(s):  
Jungkyu Ahn ◽  
Seongil Yeom ◽  
Sungwon Park ◽  
Thi Hoang Thao Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Lag Time ◽  
Prototype Model ◽  
Scaled Model ◽  
Runoff Decrease ◽  
Peak Runoff

Water scarcity can mean scarcity in availability due to physical shortage, or scarcity in access due to the failure of institutions to ensure a continuously regular supply or due to a lack of adequate infrastructure. Water scarcity will be exacerbated as rapidly growing urban areas place heavy pressure on water resources. To solve these problems, various solutions have been applied, but a fundamental solution has not been applied. Recently, a researched and developed infiltration rainwater drainage (IRD) system is being applied with consideration of its applicability. In this study, features of surface runoff and infiltration according to various flow patterns were analyzed using a three-dimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) model for calculating water flow in the IRD system. To estimate the optimal setup, a permeability test and scaled model simulation were performed. The runoff characteristics of the IRD system with respect to rainfall intensity and duration were analyzed with dimensionless variables. With the prototype model, the drainage characteristics of the IRD system were analyzed over time using the hydrological curves. From the simulated results, it was found that the IRD system analyzed in this study was appropriate in the field by comparative analysis with the existing system based on peak runoff, internal storage, and lag time. Therefore, by applying the IRD system in the future, it is expected that the IRD has benefits, such as delayed lag time, surface runoff decrease, and an attenuation of the peak runoff.

A comparison of foraging by Eptesicus fuscus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in urban and rural environments

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Geggie ◽  
M. B. Fenton
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Eptesicus Fuscus ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Rural Environments ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Time Away

We compared the foraging activity of populations of Eptesicus fuscus in rural and urban settings in eastern Ontario and western Quebec by monitoring their echolocation calls and by radio tracking individuals during the summer of 1980. Foraging was detected in all of the rural and urban habitats we monitored. There were no significant differences in the levels of foraging activity over different urban habitats, but the overall foraging rates were significantly higher in the rural than in the urban areas. Foraging in rural areas was significantly higher in residential zones and over water and was less common in parkland and farmland. Bats in rural areas foraged among aggregations of insects at lights, a pattern of behaviour not seen among urban bats. Differences in foraging rates and the fact that rural bats spent significantly less time away from their roosts suggest that prey density was lower in the urban setting. Although urban habitats appear to provide E. fuscus with a wealth of roosting sites, food supplies are lower there.

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